The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has welcomed the Federal High Court judgment that removed the David Mark-led caretaker committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and nullified its actions, including the nomination of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reacting to the ruling, Keyamo declared: “Justice may be slow, but it is always sure!”

In his Thursday judgment, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the caretaker committee was illegal and invalidated all decisions taken under its authority.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East), who argued that he was entitled to lead the party following the resignation of its National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

Gombe also asked the court to stop Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary. He argued that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and the Electoral Act.

The ADC, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu were listed as defendants in the suit. The court granted all the reliefs requested by the plaintiff.

Keyamo maintained that the coalition group that took control of the ADC had acted without the approval of the party’s authorised organs.

“You cannot invade a political party owned and built by Nigerians and hijack it with the connivance of a so-called National Chairman without a prior meeting and approval of a mini National Convention or the National Executive Committee,” he stated.

The minister also accused the Mark-led group of attempting to blame the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its predicament, insisting that the court reached its decision based on the merits of the case.

“Sorry, but the law is decided on facts and evidence, rather than sentiments and outrage by a group of people,” he said.

Keyamo further dismissed suggestions that the judgment threatened democracy, describing the Mark-led leadership as an “illegal band of marauders” and insisting that the ADC belonged to its original members.

The ruling came a day after Atiku launched his campaign in Sokoto ahead of the January 16, 2027, presidential election.

INEC had previously listed Atiku as the ADC’s presidential candidate, with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi named as his running mate.

However, the ADC has vowed to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal. The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the case as an interested party, confirmed that the party would appeal the decision.

Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono has withdrawn from the national team squad ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Zimbabwe following the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The 30-year-old striker died on Monday after suffering a serious injury in a collision with Owono during a Spanish second-division match.

Owono, 25, described the incident as “the most difficult days of my life” in a statement released by his club, FC Andorra, on Wednesday.

The goalkeeper also admitted that it was “very hard to come to terms with what has happened” as he continues to grapple with the emotional impact of the tragedy.

Equatorial Guinea’s football federation, Feguifut, confirmed that Owono had asked to withdraw from the squad named by head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese for the upcoming fixtures.

Feguifut president Venancio Tomas Micha had earlier expressed the federation’s support for the goalkeeper, promising “all our human and professional backing” to help him through the difficult period.

Owono has been Equatorial Guinea’s first-choice goalkeeper since November 2020 and has represented the country at the last three AFCON tournaments. His withdrawal is therefore a significant setback for the National Thunder as they prepare for their two meetings with Zimbabwe.

Equatorial Guinea will host Zimbabwe in Bata on Thursday, November 12, before travelling to Harare for the return leg on Monday, November 16.

Both sides have earned three points from their opening two Group E matches and are currently level in the standings.

DR Congo lead the group with six points, while Sierra Leone sit at the bottom without a point.

The two-match encounter offers Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe an opportunity to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the tournament. However, the National Thunder will now have to prepare for the fixtures without their established first-choice goalkeeper.